Category: Politics

Source: Radio New Zealand

Disabled people and their carers are welcoming a government back-track on funding for support services, but say the past two years have been deeply traumatic and won’t be forgotten.

The Government has wound back controversial cuts to disability support services it made in 2024.

Two years ago Whaikaha Ministry of Disabled People – which at the time was in charge of the disability budget – abruptly introduced new purchasing guidelines which severely restricted what disabled people and their carers could use their allocated budgets for.

Following a review into the funding system, and a commitment the system is now “stabilised” the Government has confirmed as of 1 April the restrictions will be lifted.

Most recently people were told that as of 1 April their new budgets would reflect what they had spent between June 2023 and June 2025 – which for many had not been their full budget due to the restrictions on purchasing.

The Minister Louise Upston has now promised budgets won’t be cut to match the limited spending.

Carer Katy Thomas told Nine to Noon the trauma caused to families when the cuts were abruptly made, will not be easily overcome.

“I’m only aware of like one of my friends whose children are still in school there was just like a mass exodus of autistic children from mainstream schools.

“They just couldn’t cope without the supports.”

“Obviously it’s wonderful that it’s going to be reversed but I’m just going to hold my breath and wait and see because what I have seen is that they give with one hand and take with another.”

Emily Writes, the former director of Awhi Nga Matua – a charity supporting parents of disabled and medically fragile kids – told Nine to Noon she did not want to see the news turned around as a good news story.

“When we have literally thousands and thousands of families left utterly traumatised and having really long repercussions from the decisions that were made.”

“We had more than 10,000 people in just one week sign a petition begging for acknowledgment and an apology over the removal of supports. That was not even acknowledged by the Minister.

“And now we’re just meant to say thank you?”

Kristy Kewene is a Northland mother who carers for her adult son. She said it was shocking how quickly the supports were able to be taken away.

“It was scary that without consulting could just decide that they’re taking something quite significant from our lives and how we cope with our lives.

“We relied on that respite.”

Disability Support Service Tranformation general manager Alastair Hill said the community had been listened to, and he could assure certainty for them going forward.

“We heard a lot from carers through the community consultation… and they’re saying, for me, I’m best placed to know about what respite or what looking after myself looks like.

“And so they’ll be able to make those choices again.

He said the reintroduction of flexible funding was possible due the changes that had been made over the past two years.

“There is more money … our annual operating funding is around $500 million more than what it was two years ago.

He said under the previous system there was no way to forecast cost pressures and where the growth may come from, which lead to budget overruns almost every year, but now there was “commercial rigour” in place.

“We have a predictable growth track, we understand more and more the funding that we’re going to require.”

He acknowledged the past two years had been really difficult for people.

“It was a real privilegde to bge able to meet with people face to face around the country last year and to hear from them directly to hear their experiences, but also to hear what would make the biggest difference.

“We’ve worked really hard to rebuild the trust. It’s not for me to say whether that job is done.”

Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston said the changes reflected feedback from the disability community last year, and the recommendations of the 2024 Independent Review.

“The steps we have taken since 2024 to stabilise the disability support system have been successful. Because of this, we can now confirm two things: the current purchasing rules will be removed in April, and people’s flexible funding allocations will stay exactly the same as they are now.

“This means we no longer need to look at what people spent in previous years to set new budgets.

“People will also get more support, guidance or coaching to manage their flexible funding – in a way that reflects their situation.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Disabled people and their carers are welcoming a government back-track on funding for support services, but say the past two years have been deeply traumatic and won’t be forgotten.

The Government has wound back controversial cuts to disability support services it made in 2024.

Two years ago Whaikaha Ministry of Disabled People – which at the time was in charge of the disability budget – abruptly introduced new purchasing guidelines which severely restricted what disabled people and their carers could use their allocated budgets for.

Following a review into the funding system, and a commitment the system is now “stabilised” the Government has confirmed as of 1 April the restrictions will be lifted.

Most recently people were told that as of 1 April their new budgets would reflect what they had spent between June 2023 and June 2025 – which for many had not been their full budget due to the restrictions on purchasing.

The Minister Louise Upston has now promised budgets won’t be cut to match the limited spending.

Carer Katy Thomas told Nine to Noon the trauma caused to families when the cuts were abruptly made, will not be easily overcome.

“I’m only aware of like one of my friends whose children are still in school there was just like a mass exodus of autistic children from mainstream schools.

“They just couldn’t cope without the supports.”

“Obviously it’s wonderful that it’s going to be reversed but I’m just going to hold my breath and wait and see because what I have seen is that they give with one hand and take with another.”

Emily Writes, the former director of Awhi Nga Matua – a charity supporting parents of disabled and medically fragile kids – told Nine to Noon she did not want to see the news turned around as a good news story.

“When we have literally thousands and thousands of families left utterly traumatised and having really long repercussions from the decisions that were made.”

“We had more than 10,000 people in just one week sign a petition begging for acknowledgment and an apology over the removal of supports. That was not even acknowledged by the Minister.

“And now we’re just meant to say thank you?”

Kristy Kewene is a Northland mother who carers for her adult son. She said it was shocking how quickly the supports were able to be taken away.

“It was scary that without consulting could just decide that they’re taking something quite significant from our lives and how we cope with our lives.

“We relied on that respite.”

Disability Support Service Tranformation general manager Alastair Hill said the community had been listened to, and he could assure certainty for them going forward.

“We heard a lot from carers through the community consultation… and they’re saying, for me, I’m best placed to know about what respite or what looking after myself looks like.

“And so they’ll be able to make those choices again.

He said the reintroduction of flexible funding was possible due the changes that had been made over the past two years.

“There is more money … our annual operating funding is around $500 million more than what it was two years ago.

He said under the previous system there was no way to forecast cost pressures and where the growth may come from, which lead to budget overruns almost every year, but now there was “commercial rigour” in place.

“We have a predictable growth track, we understand more and more the funding that we’re going to require.”

He acknowledged the past two years had been really difficult for people.

“It was a real privilegde to bge able to meet with people face to face around the country last year and to hear from them directly to hear their experiences, but also to hear what would make the biggest difference.

“We’ve worked really hard to rebuild the trust. It’s not for me to say whether that job is done.”

Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston said the changes reflected feedback from the disability community last year, and the recommendations of the 2024 Independent Review.

“The steps we have taken since 2024 to stabilise the disability support system have been successful. Because of this, we can now confirm two things: the current purchasing rules will be removed in April, and people’s flexible funding allocations will stay exactly the same as they are now.

“This means we no longer need to look at what people spent in previous years to set new budgets.

“People will also get more support, guidance or coaching to manage their flexible funding – in a way that reflects their situation.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Outgoing Labour MP Peeni Henare says he is ready to “see the back of this place”, as he prepares to leave both Parliament and the party who gave him an “opportunity” after 12 years.

“You can only try your best, and I believe I’ve done that,” he said in a sitdown interview with RNZ during his final week as a Labour MP, revealing the most difficult times for him were balancing “being Māori” and “being a politician”.

Henare said he had “mixed emotions” during his last days in Parliament, and said it was the “human connections” in the place that made him feel sad this week.

He had connections across the House, enjoying good relationships with members from all parties, saying that was a testament to how he conducted himself politically, “that’s always been my style”.

He also had connections with the security guards, earlier this week he thanked them for leaving kina in his fridge.

“I’ve had a lot of people from all different walks of life, inside and outside of Parliament, talking about how sad they are to see me leave politics, some even hope that I might change my mind,” he said.

Asked whether anyone in the Labour leadership had asked him to change his mind, he responded: “There’s always conversations with the Labour leadership, but my mind’s pretty made up”.

The resignation

Henare’s shock resignation was announced at Waitangi, after he confirmed he was not contesting the Tāmaki Makaurau seat.

Following a messy media briefing with Labour leader Chris Hipkins, Henare announced he was calling time on his 12-year Parliamentary career, citing exhaustion and a desire to spend more time focusing on his family and future.

Hipkins, who initially refused to answer questions about the resignation, denied the announcement had been bungled, but it did not stop questions being asked about the circumstances.

At the time, New Zealand First Deputy leader Shane Jones, and a relation of Henare’s, expressed his surprise at the retirement.

He said he wanted to find out what had happened and that the “kumara vine” would inform him.

Ahead of Henare’s valedictory on Wednesday, Jones said he no longer wanted to speculate.

“That was a word said at Waitangi, and the god of wind has blown those words long way into the distance,” Jones said.

Asked if he thought Labour regretted letting Henare go, he said Henare was not the first Māori that Labour “forced out”, having left the party himself in 2014.

‘Maybe I should have been more of a Māori’ – Henare

In Henare’s maiden speech in 2014, he referred to Dr Pita Sharples of Te Pāti Māori, who had not been re-elected, saying “I have taken up the paddle of the vessel that you left behind”.

Asked about this, Henare said he believed every Māori had a bit of Te Pāti Māori in them. He described marching in the Foreshore and Seabed hīkoi in 2004, and more recently the Toitū te Tiriti hīkoi.

“I’m Māori to the core, but I make no bones about it – Labour gave me an opportunity, and one that I was fortunate to have.”

Surprising too perhaps given his family had been tied to the National Party.

“I ultimately chose Labour, and have worked hard for 12 years with them.”

He has held multiple ministerial portfolios, such as ACC, Civil Defence, Whānau Ora, Defence, Forestry, Tourism, Veterans and Youth Development, as well as various roles in opposition.

He was also the only Labour MP to be sent to the Privileges Committee as part of the haka Te Pāti Māori started in the house over the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill.

He was most proud of securing a significant boost of funding for Whānau Ora. In his valedictory speech on Wednesday, he described the establishment of the Māori Health Authority as a “crowning moment”.

Asked if he had any regrets from his time in Parliament, he referred to the Covid-19 pandemic response and questioned whether he had made the right decision at times.

“It was hurtful at that time, those decisions around burial and tikanga Māori and things like that were always quite difficult.”

Another “particularly challenging time” was Ihumātao he said, when he had to “dance on the head of a pin, if you like, as a politician and as a Māori”.

“I walked away from there thinking, maybe I should have been more of a Māori.”

On walking that fine line within the Labour party, he acknowledged it was challenging, however, the feeling of isolation or inability to express “your Māoritanga to its fullest” was a challenge for any Māori MP.

But because of the roles he had held in the past, and also the burden of his whakapapa (ancestry), it meant he would question “is Peeni the Māori today, or is he the politician?”

He did have fond memories of times when he was well supported in the Labour party and able to “progress kaupapa”, so it was a “bit of give and take”.

The Māori vote

Last election, Labour lost six out of the seven Māori seats. He said there was strategising taking place to win them back.

“No doubt about it, we’ve got work to do” he said, on winning the Māori vote.

“My message is always the same for Māori in the Labour Party, don’t rebuild for the election.

“Rebuild with a view towards securing the Māori vote for the next 10 to 20 years.”

He said Willie Jackson, co-chair of the Māori caucus, did a good job of talking about Labour’s key areas of focus this year (jobs, health, homes), while also listening to what Māori wanted to see from a potential Labour government, “he’s a political animal”.

“But be under no illusion, the 2026 election is going to be a tough one.”

Asked whether the turmoil Te Pāti Māori faced last year was the reason Labour was in with a chance in the Māori seats this year, Henare said that was part of it.

He reflected on his success in 2014 being partly because the “tide was going out on Te Pāti Māori” because of their association with the National Party.

‘My time was done’ – Henare

Last year, Henare lost for a second time to Te Pāti Māori in a by-election for the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate seat.

He had been honest about how bruising the loss was, and there were questions about whether he would run for the seat again.

He said there were ongoing conversations about how he was feeling and his career, and ultimately the party asked him to consider it all.

“There comes a time where you should call your time on your career and allow others to push the kaupapa forward.

“I decided my time was done.”

He described personal reasons, such as his family, for the decisions, but also that no one’s time in politics was infinite.

Hipkins was asked by RNZ on Tuesday this week whether he had any regrets that Henare was leaving. He said he was “very fond of Peeni”.

“I’m always sad to see any of my colleagues go, and I’ll be sad to see him go.”

Asked if the Labour leadership told Henare there was not a place for him, Hipkins maintained what he had said all along, that it was “Peeni’s decision”.

What’s next?

He had his eyes set on putting his experience, knowledge, connections and talent to work for his iwi, Ngāpuhi.

“Continuing to progress the kaupapa of my people and the wellbeing and interests of my people – that’s a calling that’s always been there for me.”

That could potentially take the form of being a negotiator for the Ngāpuhi treaty settlement, “Without being presumptuous – I think there’s an opportunity.”

On whether the Treaty Negotiation Minister had approached him, Henare said there had been nothing official, “he knows my number, when I leave this place – feel free to give me a call”.

Minister Paul Goldsmith told RNZ he would “have a chat” with Henare.

“I’ve got big challenge to find a way through to a settlement with Ngāpuhi, and I’ve got good Crown negotiators, but there may be a role somewhere in there for Peeni, he’s a real leader.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Beneficiary numbers have soared to a 12-year high, under a government that promised a reduction.

They were the highest both by volume and percentage of the working-age population since at least the 2013 welfare reforms.

Social development minister Louise Upston said in 2024 – less than three months after taking office – that the government was taking action to “curb the surge in welfare dependency” that ocurred under the former Labour government.

But the most recent Ministry of Social Development data revealed that was yet to take hold.

As of December last year, 427,236 people – about the population of Christchurch – were receiving a main benefit.

That was 13.2 percent of the working-age population, the highest recorded since at least 2013, when reforms replaced multiple benefits with three main benefits: Jobseeker, Sole Parent Support and Supported Living Payment.

More than half of beneficiaries – 223,512 people, or 6.9 percent of the working age population – were on the Jobseeker benefit. That was also a record.

Soon after taking power the government set a target of 50,000 fewer people on the Jobseeker benefit by 2030.

So far, there had been an 18 percent jump: from 190,000 in December 2023 to 223,500 in December last year.

The 18 to 24-year-old age group on the Jobseeker benefit had grown the most in that period, rising 32 percent.

Minister blames former Labour government

Upston said the numbers were a result of the coalition inheriting “difficult economic conditions and a tough labour market” from the former Labour government.

“Unemployment has been rising since 2021 and is always one of the last things to improve after a recession,” she said.

“We know there is more work to do to grow the economy, fix the basics and build a welfare system focused on getting more people into work.”

More than 83,500 people came off a main benefit and found work last year, she said.

The government’s initiatives to curb benefit numbers included the traffic light system which was working well to ensure jobseekers were fulfilling their obligations, she said.

In Parliament on Wednesday, Labour’s Willie Jackson grilled Upston about rising Jobseeker numbers.

Upston said Labour’s increased spending during the Covid-19 pandemic drove up inflation, leading to higher unemployment.

“That’s why the forecast has always been due to get worse before it gets better,” she said.

Labour’s social development and employment spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime said the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon needed to take responsibility.

“It’s been more than two years since National took office, their excuses are getting old and shows just how out of touch they are,” she said.

“Christopher Luxon promised to fix the cost of living. He hasn’t just failed – he’s made it worse.”

High unemployment driving benefit dependency, but set to improve – economist

The rise was largely driven by a weak labour market, said Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen said.

“There has been a larger proportional increase in Jobseeker support benefit requirements compared to all other benefits on average,” he said.

The government had options to intervene but they were not all politically or socially palatable, Olsen said.

That included clamping down access to benefits.

“Which could well reduce the overall numbers, but would likely leave a number of New Zealanders out in the cold and facing very challenging circumstances at a time when we know that the number of jobs being advertised in the economy are still 25 percent lower than pre-pandemic and the unemployment rate is at a 10-year high.”

The government could also try to create jobs but that was expensive and could lead to higher inflation, said Olsen.

“The government doesn’t have a lot of spare money to all of a sudden magic up a whole bunch of jobs there in the short term without generating other economic challenges in other areas.

“So at the moment, our expectation would more be that the government will look to try and reduce the number of beneficiaries over time as the labour market improves, and we do expect that will happen over the next couple of years.”

Although unemployment was high, there had also been a 0.5 percent expansion in the number of jobs which was the largest in about two and a half years, he said.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Outgoing Labour MP Peeni Henare has farewelled Parliament, telling MPs they needed to move away from “gotcha style politics” in his valedictory speech, saying they had a “role and responsibility” to rebuild trust in the institution of politics.

“I have seen this place work hard for the benefit of this country,” he told the House.

“I see it as a true mechanism of change, and we must protect it as a bastion of representative democracy when the world is turning against it.

“I am not surprised to see, however, the waning of trust and belief in this institution. We have a role and a responsibility each and every one of us to rebuild that trust.”

He also called for politicians to “work to devolve power to communities and families”.

Henare’s shock resignation was announced at Waitangi, after he confirmed he wasn’t contesting the Tāmaki Makaurau seat.

Following a messy media standup with Labour leader Chris Hipkins, Henare announced he was calling time on his 12-year Parliamentary career, citing exhaustion and a desire to spend more time focusing on his family and future.

Henare began his valedictory by speaking at length about all the staff who had worked with him.

“Mr. Speaker, in my 12 years here in Parliament, I have been truly blessed to have been served by so many amazing people.

“So with your indulgence, I would like to acknowledge them, for without them, my time here would have been very different, and I suspect, very difficult.”

The public gallery was filled with rangatira from Ngāpuhi, such as Waihoroi Shortland, Pita Tipene and Julian Wilcox, along with Henare’s family and his pick for who should replace him as the Labour candidate for Tāmaki Makaurau, Nathaniel Howe.

He acknowledged his son and daughters, and teared up while acknowledging his partner.

“Taku taringi [my darling], for too long, my dreams have been your dreams. It is now time for your dreams to be our dreams.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

The primary teachers’ union is angry that the government is offering pay rises to teachers on individual employment agreements.

Education Minister Erica Stanford said from Wednesday, schools could offer staff on individual agreements a 2.5 percent pay rise from 20 March, with a further 2.1 percent on 28 January next year.

She said the teachers had a right to a contract.

“It is fair and reasonable that nearly a third of primary school teachers, who are not part of the NZEI, should be offered a contract so they can receive the pay increases that the government has already offered,” she said.

“This would equate to approximately $50 to $76 each week and is pay that non-union teachers could already be receiving if not impacted by the NZEI’s ongoing approach to bargaining.”

The Educational Institute Te Riu Roa rejected the same deal for teachers in the collective agreement.

RNZ understands it is unusual for an individual offer to be made before the collective is settled.

NZEI primary teacher leader Liam Rutherfod said the move was a serious breach of good faith and undermined collective bargaining.

“The government is employing divisive tactics to undermine teachers’ fight to get fair recognition of our work. Our teachers deserve a fair deal that reflects their value, not sinister manoeuvres designed to break our unity,” he said.

“The government is demanding we implement sweeping, rushed curriculum changes, yet they refuse to pay us for doing the extra work and consistently undervalue our work in supporting students through these changes. There is widespread frustration regarding the pace of curriculum changes and its impact on ākonga and their learning.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand First has called for yet another inquiry into Covid-19 – this one focused on vaccine injuries.

The second phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry, commissioned by the coalition, released its findings on Tuesday, unequivocally endorsing the use of vaccines.

It did, however, highlight that officials were warned about the risks of giving two doses to teenagers – and said that was not passed on to ministers.

In a statement, NZ First said the latest report did not go far enough when looking into vaccine safety and risks.

It called for a select committee to hold its own inquiry to give anyone injured a voice and to hold decision-makers accountable.

“The Crown needs to know how widespread any effects of those known risks that were mandated on New Zealanders but specifically those young people.

“The downstream health effects could be disastrous with the report identifying myocarditis as a specific health consequence.”

Speaking at Parliament, NZ First leader Winston Peters told reporters he had serious concerns about vaccine safety.

“Hundreds of thousands of people have been affected here. They need to know the truth. They need to know why they were denied the truth.”

ACT’s David Seymour said he was open to the idea of a select committee inquiry.

“A lot of people felt they were ostracized from society and if this helps them feel seen and heard, then it might not be a bad thing.”

Even with the support of NZ First and ACT, a select committee inquiry would require the backing of the National Party.

National leader and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon dodged questions over whether he supported an inquiry, saying only that there were “very serious questions” for Labour to answer.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins said two high-level investigations had already been carried out – including one commissioned by the current coalition government.

He pointed out that Peters was once a staunch advocate for vaccines, even calling for them to be a requirement for welfare and parole.

“One of the wonders of being Winston Peters is you never have to be consistent in your position on anything.”

Hipkins said the government needed to “move on” and focus instead on the cost-of-living and the country’s future.

In its report, released on Tuesday, the Royal Commission of Inquiry said the process and consideration surrounding the approval of vaccines could not have been more thorough.

“We acknowledge that some people disagree with Medsafe’s decision that the benefits of [the Pfizer vaccine] Comirnaty outweighed its risks. They consider the risks of the vaccine then, and now, well outweigh any perceived benefit.

“We do not agree with that view.”

The report said the evidence did not support arguments that Covid-19 was not “a significant threat to public health”.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Willow-Jean Prime has lost the education portfolio, but picked up social development, as Labour reshuffles its decks ahead of the election.

Ginny Andersen will take on the education role, making her the third Labour MP to take on the role in just over a year.

Peeni Henare‘s departure from Parliament, along with Adrian Rurawhe earlier this year, has given Labour leader Chris Hipkins an opportunity to change things up.

“These refreshed portfolios ensure our team will hit the ground running when we win the election in November,” Hipkins said.

Willie Jackson, who had taken on the social development role last year, will instead take on Māori Crown Relations.

Speaking to the changes, Hipkins said Prime’s new social development role required “care, empathy, and a strong focus on improving outcomes for New Zealanders,” while Jackson would focus on running a “winning campaign” in the Māori seats.

Among the other changes are Damien O’Connor picking up Henare’s defence spokesperson role, Reuben Davidson taking over economic development, and Tangi Utikere becoming the spokesperson for state-owned enterprises.

Vanushi Walters moves considerably higher up Labour’s list, and takes over foreign affairs from Henare.

New list MP Georgie Dansey has been given the rainbow issues and regulation roles. Dan Rosewarne, who will re-enter Parliament following Henare’s retirement, has been given the rural communities and small business portfolios.

Duncan Webb, who has announced he will retire at the election, has lost all of his spokesperson roles.

His justice portfolio has been given to Camilla Belich.

Hipkins said Webb would instead take on a “mentoring role to support our team.”

The Prime Minister is also expected to announce a ministerial reshuffle in the coming weeks, following the retirement of Judith Collins and Dr Shane Reti’s announcement he will step down at the election.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Technology entrepreneur Brian Cartmell appears to have donated at least half a million dollars to the coalition parties – and to the Opportunity party.

Cartmell moved to New Zealand in 2010 and gave up his US citizenship in 2015. His former professional background includes working for the Internet Entertainment Group, an online pornography company. It was a pioneer in live webcam shows and subscription services.

In a statement on his website, Cartmell said he had donated equally to the three coalition parties as well as to Opportunity. The ACT Party told RNZ it had received a total of $200,000 from Cartmell last year. The Electoral Commission said a $100,000 donation to Opportunity from Cartmell had been disclosed. Neither National nor NZ First would confirm donations from him.

But Cartmell himself said the current coalition parties represent “the best available chance of navigating” a period of significant economic, technological, and geopolitical change in a way that preserves New Zealand’s sovereignty, prosperity and independence.

He said he chose to donate equal amounts to National, Act and NZ First last year as none of the three represents his thinking, but he believed the three parties complemented each other. The donation to Opportunity was made because he feels healthy democracies need parties willing to put forward ideas major parties won’t.

“New ideas enter the political process from the edges, and parties like Opportunity play an important role in making sure that process doesn’t stagnate.”

Who is Brian Cartmell?

Cartmell lives in Queenstown with his partner. He says he has donated more than $1 million to a range of organisations including Starship Children’s Hospital, Cure Kids, Hato Hone St John and NZSAS Regiment Trust.

In the 1990s, he worked at Internet Entertainment Group helping it to develop live streaming technology.

Cartmell also founded a domain registry firm in 1997 which managed domain names with the .cc extension, associated with the Cocos Islands territory, an island territory with a population of around 600 people. He told the United States Senate Commerce Committee 400,000 domain names were registered to the extension. The Australian Financial Review reported the islands received no benefits from domain name sales, although Cartmell did distribute technology and grants. Cartmell sold the company to Verisign in 2001 for an undisclosed sum.

Cartmell also funded an anti-spam service called SpamAlert. This company won a court case against the food company Hormel, maker of tinned Spam, over the use of the word spam. He was also an early adopter of cryptocurrency Bitcoin and participated in the first funding round of Coinbase.

The Companies Register shows he is a director of three New Zealand companies and a shareholder in an additional 12 companies. These include crowdsourcing platform PledgeMe, food and beverage companies Angel Food and Yeastie Boys. He has a small shareholding in Invisible Urban Charging, an electric car charging company co-founded by former National Party MP Jake Bezzant.

According to Cartmell’s website he is seeking investment opportunities and is looking for innovative start-ups in transformative technologies.

Parties respond

Opportunity party general manager Iain Lees-Galloway said the cash injection, which was declared as being received on 25 February was incredibly helpful for the small party, which is not in parliament.

“We don’t have parliamentary resources to run our campaigns that sitting MPs do. So a donation like this makes a huge difference to us to be able to get our message out.”

Donations would be spent on marketing as well as travel and events. The party has received one other big donation of $50,000 from Phillip Mills, taking its currently declared total for 2026 to $150,000.

Donations made in the 2025 calendar year will be published in early May. Donations made in an election year must be declared within 20 days if they are more than $20,000.

An ACT party spokesperson confirmed Cartmell had made donations in 2025 but had not made any donations this year.

“ACT New Zealand received a donation from Brian Cartmell of $100k in December last year. He donated a total of $200k to ACT in 2025.”

New Zealand First party secretary Holly Howard said donations would be disclosed as required by law.

“Out of respect for our donors’ privacy and due process, we will not provide commentary or confirmation on individual donations ahead of the statutory reporting requirements.”

The National Party said it wouldn’t comment on individual donations, except where required by law through donation disclosures.

Information released on the electoral commission website shows coalition parties have received $750,000 in donations of over $20,000 so far this year. National has received $250,000, ACT $350,000 and NZ First $150,000.

The Greens have received $43,000 and Labour $22,000.

Cartmell’s statement says he supports transparent political donations, but will be making no further statements on the matter.

“These donations were made with that broader objective in mind – with the understanding that it is voters, not donors, who decide the direction of New Zealand.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi says Justice Radich “brought justice to Te Tai Tokerau voters” when he ruled her expulsion from Te Pāti Māori “unlawful”.

It comes as a political commentator says the party might be looking to distance itself from the drama of last year, and focus on the election ahead.

The formally reinstated MP took to social media on Tuesday night to celebrate the verdict, saying her intention in bringing the case was not to incite division, but “seek clarity and ensure the processes we hold ourselves to – particularly those grounded in tikanga, are honoured”.

“Finally, today, the truth has risen,” Kapa-Kingi said following the release of the verdict on Tuesday afternoon, which ruled her suspension and subsequent expulsion as “unlawful”.

Radich said the tikanga principles that were infused into the kawa document “were not mentioned or applied” in relation to her suspension.

“Perhaps most fundamentally, the relevant tikanga principles – which must inform the way in which a decision-maker considers the kawa’s rules – were not applied in any way,” Radich said.

“This decision on its own will not heal all the mamae, but it is an important first step,” Kapa-Kingi said online.

Kapa-Kingi also mentioned she looked forward to meeting with those from Te Tai Tokerau to discuss their future strategy for the election in coming weeks.

She finished by acknowledging this week belonged to “my darling nephew Peeni Henare”, whose many years of service “deserve recognition and respect”.

Mike Colson KC – Kapa-Kingi’s lawyer – told RNZ it was nice to see an “unjust situation rectified”.

He was particularly interested in the judge’s assessment of the party breaching its own tikanga, acknowledging tikanga was a “fairly hot topic” amongst the legal profession at the moment.

“Many judges are slightly nervous dealing with it, or – one might expect very respectful of it.

“Here we had such a clear explanation of what the tikanga was of the party, and I thought it was quite brave and right of the judge to find that kawa and tikanga had been breached.”

He also acknowledged it might be considered “unusual” for a judge to “direct a party to take an action within Parliament”.

But Colson said the situation was so clear, and there was a lack of clarity last time as to whether that extra step was necessary.

“The judge thought it was proper to do so and to direct them to give a notice to the speaker.”

He said it was an unusual set of circumstances, and did not think it would set a major precedent.

The defendants had argued the case was a contractual matter, and should be dealt with privately, but Colson said the judge was quick to point out the “public character of the proceeding”, and that it was not just Kapa-Kingi’s case, but her electorate who voted her in.

“They, of course, also had a role to play and a voice to be heard, and that really pushed into very much the public arena.”

What will happen now?

On Tuesday Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi told reporters he had attempted to make contact with Kapa-Kingi, but it was not clear what the process was for her reinstatement or how the apparent rift would be addressed.

Associate professor in politics at Victoria University, Lara Greaves, told RNZ she had expected this ruling from the case.

She explained Te Pāti Māori’s constitution “wasn’t particularly clear”, and it was “very hard” to figure out if the party had followed the rules in terms of her expulsion.

Greaves thinks the decision to go to court was Kapa-Kingi’s attempt at staying with the party, “to change it from the inside,”, and this was “politics pushing up against the law”.

“Legally, there’s a judgment, here that Kapa-Kingi is still part of the party, but it’s not clear what will happen next.”

She said the co-leaders had not spoken about the ruling much, and they had expressed a desire to limit any further drama, so “for a lot of us, it’s just going to be a case of waiting and seeing what happens”.

“Being within a political party where you’ve been expelled is probably not a comfortable place,” Greaves said.

She pointed to potential scenarios of further attempts at expulsion or further issues raised, “there’s still a lot of things that could happen here and happen here”.

Greaves said a lot of people, including herself, had made the assessment there was a “bit too much commentary” taking place last year from the party and others involved.

“So, just being a bit quieter might be a good solution there.

“Te Pāti Māori may have listened to a lot of their critics, listened to a lot of their whānau and communities, and thought – we need to keep this out of the media and keep a bit quiet on it going forward.”

Greaves also pointed to the Māori seats, and Labour and the Greens running strong candidates this election, “there are quite a few potential threats to their electoral success, so it’s kind of important that [Te Pāti Māori] sort it out now and figure out what they’re doing in order to get success in the election”.

“Te Pāti Māori may have made a decision in a way to hope that voters think that these issues are behind them and to move forward constructively.”

She said there would be a lot of scrutiny on the dynamics between Kapa-Kingi and the party leadership in the coming months, as well as a focus on MPs Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke and Oriini Kaipara and how they were fitting into the party.

It was possible, she said, that there would be enough time between the “drama” last year to the election this year that people did forgive and forget, “that would actually be a pretty good comeback”.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand